remarkable detail to be published in former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge's soon-to-be-released book asserts that the Bush Administration
attempted to wield the color-coded terror alert system for political gain -- a charge often leveled by Democrats but not previously confirmed by a
high-ranking Bush Administration official.

Surprise, Surprise! The Bush administration trying to scare us into voting for the neo-cons? What a concept.

Still it's good to see that some people with moral fiber, like Ridge blowing the whistle on those traitors.

[edit on 20-8-2009 by whaaa]

Serious question or observation, rather. If the people's vote do not count and it certainly does not, why does this matter at all? The
level-raising had more to do with raising the fear-level in people who actually live by the terror-level (Average American: Oh no, it's burning
red!!! It's white hot fire now!!! Terrorist: Hello!). Not only this, but it expands the power, including financing, of Homeland Security which is
a front like the War on Drugs.

It seems like he is a part of the move toward to the continuing decline of the Republican party. The favorable Democratic Party with Obama leading
could be moved into a more far socialist movement, given these constant "exposures" of how bad the Bush administration was and thus the NAU would
make even smoother transition - just thinking out loud here. Funny how these idiots like Ridge didn't bother to come out when necessary.

If you notice, since Reagan, I think we have had two Republicans for one Democrat, so the elections were not surprising at all. What is most
surprising is how Americans call Bush an idiot and yet most of them "voted" for him twice.

I leave you with Stalin:

"It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide
everything."

Tom Ridge, the first secretary of homeland security, asserts in a new book that he was pressured by top advisers to President George W. Bush to
raise the national threat level just before the 2004 election in what he suspected was an effort to influence the vote.

…The most sensational assertion was the pre-election debate in 2004 about the threat level, first reported by U.S. News & World Report. Mr. Ridge
writes that the bin Laden tape alone did not justify a change in the nation’s security posture but describes “a vigorous, some might say dramatic,
discussion” on Oct. 30 to do so.

“There was absolutely no support for that position within our department. None,” he writes. “I wondered, ‘Is this about security or
politics?’ Post-election analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the president’s approval rating in the days after the raising of the
threat level.”

Mr. Ridge provides no evidence that politics motivated the discussion. Until now, he has denied politics played a role in threat levels. Asked by Eric
Lichtblau of The New York Times if politics ever influenced decisions on threat warnings, he volunteered to take a lie-detector test. “Wire me
up,” Mr. Ridge said, according to Mr. Lichtblau’s book, “Bush’s Law.” “Not a chance. Politics played no part.”

He has no evidence. He wasn't invited to National Security Meetings.
He complains that he couldn't get Rumsfield to meet with him.
He just 'suspects and wonders' that it could have happened.

NO ONE backs up his claim and in fact they go out of their way to deny it.
Which could mean something ... or could mean nothing.
But there isn't anyone to back him up on his 'wonders and suspects' statements.

Shades of Scott McClellen.

I'm taking back what I said about this being 'probably true'.
I now will say that Tom Ridge's book is, IMHO, probably not true.
Color me surprised.

Its no coincidence that Obama poll numbers are slipping folks. The media is doing its best to run cover for Obama. How can they do that? By reliving
the Bush years and running with a story based on what could have hypothetically happened. I'm amazed at how the media talks about this as if it
happened, when it didn't. Thats the dead give away that this is an attempt to stop Obama's falling numbers.

Mr. Ridge provides no evidence that politics motivated the discussion. Until now, he has denied politics played a role in threat levels. Asked by Eric
Lichtblau of The New York Times if politics ever influenced decisions on threat warnings, he volunteered to take a lie-detector test. “Wire me
up,” Mr. Ridge said, according to Mr. Lichtblau’s book, “Bush’s Law.” “Not a chance. Politics played no part.”

Thank you FlyersFan for that. Even though I sense that it will either go unnoticed(ignored) or there will be a bunch of "yea, buts".

I hope this is a lesson to those who takes crap at face value. Next time you "Deny Ignorance" do so with proof.

Originally posted by jd140
No chance this little tid bit is to raise book sales. I'm sure he will provide sufficient evidence to back what wrote.

Or

He is relying on peoples absolute hatred for Bush to take what he says at face value.

I'm betting on the second one.

riiiigghhhttt!!!....the republican head of FEMA, that helped in the creation of FEMA, is lying...yeah...that's it...he's lying. there should besome
prison time for all this crap. they impeached clinton on a morality clause, not telling the truth about having an affair. but actual corruption by
republicans gets a pass. yup...business as usual...nothing to see here...move along now. besides republicans are busy shutting down heathcare reform
for the middle class and poor, they can't be bothered with traitors to the republican ideal.

He earned a scholarship to Harvard College, where he paid his way through with construction work, played intramural baseball and football,and
graduated with honors in 1967.

In 1982 he successfully ran for a seat in Congress...and was re-elected six times. Ridge was notable as the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran
elected to the U.S. House. As of 2009, Ridge has never lost an election for public office.

In 1994, ...Ridge ran for governor of Pennsylvania, winning the election...He was reelected in 1998 with 57 percent of the vote in a four-way
race...Ridge's share of the vote was the highest for a Republican governor in Pennsylvania ... in more than half a century.

In 2000 election...

Ridge served as a close advisor to GOP presidential nominee George W. Bush...

In 2008 election...

Tom Ridge served as a senior aide to Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain of Arizona, and was considered by
some as a possible running mate for McCain...

IMO, Ridge is a credible and honorable man. (Also a Vietnam Veteran) If you review his private sector credentials, you’ll realize he is highly
marketable and vital. Anyone suggesting the motivation is “book sales” has no grasp of the real world or profitability of such. I suspect the
attempts to discredit him are yet another example of the Republicans turning on one of their own who dare chastise the Bush administration.

A former US Governor and former GOP potential VP candidate. Kinda like a real-life male version of Sarah Palin except he walks the walk, has a brain,
is a true patriot and his "pair" are anatomically lower.

A coy question deserves a coy response: Depends
( And I'm not referring to underpants)

Honest answer, IMO an emphatic YES. I merely question his choice of Party.

Born Aug. 26, 1945, in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, He was raised in a working class family in veterans' public housing in Erie. He earned a
scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where
he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor. After returning to Pennsylvania, he earned his law degree and
was in private practice before becoming assistant district attorney in Erie County. He was elected to Congress in 1982. He was the first enlisted
Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House, and was overwhelmingly re-elected six times.

of course they wanted to do this. Remember the Bin Laden tape that came out days before the election? How convenient. He dared people to vote for
Bush making Kerry look weak in the process. I should say CIA produced tape, Bin Laden has probably been dead for years.
Whenever Bush was in trouble they could always come out with a new tape or change the threat level.
These scumbag politicians and manipulators use ever trick in the book.
See Obama and his goons using racism as their bailout technique.

This content community relies on user-generated content from our member contributors. The opinions of our members are not those of site ownership who maintains strict editorial agnosticism and simply provides a collaborative venue for free expression.